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Inverters/Charges What is the best?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by jetawave, May 28, 2013.

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  1. jetawave, May 28, 2013
    #1
    jetawave

    jetawave New Member

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    Newtown, CT/Bridgeport, CT
    Hi
    I have to replace my inverter/charge. I looked into Magnum ones, I was ready to buy it when I found out that it is only a single bank Charger. I would prefer a 3 bank charger. Magnum said that they are working on one but not yet. Can anyone suggest a well made one that is also a 3 bank charger. The last one that I had was a Xantrex only lasted 3 years I do not want to buy another one of those. If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it.

    Thanks, Jetawave
  2. CR CRUISER, May 28, 2013
    #2
    CR CRUISER

    CR CRUISER Member

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    Location:
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    I have been using the Magnum Pure Sine inverter/chargers to run and charge the house/inverter bank. I have then installed Xantrex Echo chargers to charge the additional engine and thruster batteries. The echo chargers only output 15 amps each but are more than adequate to maintane the additional battery banks.
  3. Pascal, May 28, 2013
    #3
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Magnum and Charles are probably among the best.

    I, like many others, have had issues with Xantrex failing prematurely.

    Plus, magnum and Charles are made here in the US... Not communist china like Xantrex.

    Afaik, there are no 3 bank charger inverter... For redundancy, I really prefer having a separate charger and inverter charger anyway
  4. captainwjm, May 28, 2013
    #4
    captainwjm

    captainwjm Senior member

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    Agreed.
  5. bliss, May 28, 2013
    #5
    bliss

    bliss Senior Member

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    I have had great experiences with Charles. I hesitated mailing my out of warrantee Chas. unit in for repair. The postage charge was high but the Chas. $ charge was zero. Their people were very helpful when selecting a charger answering questions re install. I don't know if Joe Charles is still active in the biz. I always enjoyed running into him and his beautiful Burger on Lake Michigan.
  6. RT46, May 28, 2013
    #6
    RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    i also prefer having a separate inverter and charger


    I really only use the inverter on the hook at night after shutting down the genny
  7. jetawave, May 29, 2013
    #7
    jetawave

    jetawave New Member

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    Thanks, for everybody's input. I really appreciate it. I like the idea of the magnum or charles for the inverter and charger of the house and a separate smaller charger for the other two batters, [genny and port eng ]. Originally, I was going to have a separate charger and inverter but after inquiring about it I found that a combo unit has a much higher charge rate like a 100 amp's + and the stand alone charger,s are only up to 50 or 60 amp's. I use my inverter all of the time when I leave the dock. I use the generator only for the microwave, hot water, and to charge the battery's. Thanks, Jetawave
  8. jetawave, May 29, 2013
    #8
    jetawave

    jetawave New Member

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    Newtown, CT/Bridgeport, CT
    Hi Pascal,captainwjm, and cr cruiser
    It sound like all of you guys run a inverter/charger for the house batteries and a separate charger for the rest of your batteries is that true? If so I think that I will go with the same thing. Sound like a plan!! Thanks, for all of your help.

    Jetawave
  9. captainwjm, May 29, 2013
    #9
    captainwjm

    captainwjm Senior member

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    I have a dedicated battery bank for the inverter, which is charged only by the Magnum inverter/charger. My separate house banks [I have 2, port and starboard] are charged by the alternator on the respective engines, as well as a single charger when on shore power [ which also charges the starting batteries].
  10. T.K., May 29, 2013
    #10
    T.K.

    T.K. Senior Member

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    I have Mastervolt battery chargers and inverters on all our boats. They are great and I never had a problem with Mastervolt.
  11. Capt Ralph, May 29, 2013
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I have to ad a good note about MasterVolt chargers also. I have been installing nothing but MasterVolt chargers with ZERO disappointments. Wish I could report on their inverters (other than cost).
  12. Capt Ralph, May 29, 2013
    #12
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Been thinking about that Magnum 32vdc inverter for myself. Any thoughts?
    Remember, I'm that hardened 32vdc guy.
  13. Pascal, May 29, 2013
    #13
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I usually use a three bank charger for both engines and house, and an inverter/charger for a dedicated inverter bank. I prefer it this way.

    One reason why multi bank inverter charger wouldn't make sense is that the inverter bank is typically much larger than the start bank so the high capacity inverter/ charger would probably cook the start batteries trying to charge the inverter bank.
  14. Caltexflanc, May 29, 2013
    #14
    Caltexflanc

    Caltexflanc Senior Member

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    Outback or NewMar are the place for 32 volt inverter chargers. Last time i checked, Magnum doesn't make one. Both Outback and Newmar are fine companies, personally I put Newmar a notch ahead of Charles in the inverter game. I'd say the majority of my fellow Hatteras owners use Outback for 32volt inverters, somewhat due to price, but are very happy with them. Lots of discussion about them on the Hatteras Owners Forum. Personally I have a 24 volt magnum that runs off its own dedicated bank; been great for 6 years of extremely heavy use. Magnum makes an echo charger / ACRt ype product for things like genset start batteries.

    ME-SBC Smart Battery Combiner
  15. sunchaserv, May 30, 2013
    #15
    sunchaserv

    sunchaserv Member

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    In agreement with above - I have Newmar for starts and Magnum for house banks. I like Magnum since they and I are in the PNW, but heaven forbid if I ever need service.